Players

Rick Kestner

Year Inducted: 2001

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations: Pekin Community High School
Augustana College

Biography: Rick Kestner played on IBCA Hall of Fame coach Dawdy Hawkins’ last outstanding team at Pekin Community High School in 1972-73, before his retirement in 1974.  Kestner was all-tournament at the Quincy Thanksgiving Tournament in 1972, Mid-State-9 all-conference and honorable mention all-state by the Chicago Daily News in 1973.  Kestner helped lead Pekin to the IHSA “Sweet-Sixteen” in state tournament play.  Kestner played at Augustana (IL) College in the same time frame as IBCA Hall of Famer Jack Sikma was at Illinois Wesleyan.  Kestner became a starter as a sophomore and Augustana posted an 88-26 record during his four years there.  He ranked in Augie’s top 12 in career scoring and rebounding upon his graduation.  Augustana was CCIW conference champions in 1974 and placed second in each of Kestner’s final three seasons.  As a senior, Kestner was all-CCIW and a third team NCAA Division III All-American.   He was Augie’s MVP and co-captain in 1976-77.  Kestner played in four national tournaments: NAIA (Elite-Eight quarterfinals) in 1974 and NCAA Division III (Final-Fours in 1975, 1976) and finally the 1977 NCAA tournament. He also played one season professionally in Blankenberge, Belgium.  Kestner served as head coach at Wyanet, Salem and Bethalto Civic Memorial high schools.  He was also a head coach at Lindenwood (MO) College and served as an assistant coach at SIU-Edwardsville, Northwest Missouri State and Southeast Missouri State.  While at SEMO, the Indians finished national runner-up in the NCAA Division II tournament in Springfield, MA.  Kestner returned to Pekin Community High School to become its athletic director for 13 years until his retirement in 2018.  He also was tournament director for the prestigious Pekin Insurance Holiday Tournament.